by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/accounting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in accounting, no school beat North Hennepin Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,685. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Century College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Century College generally make around $46,996. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Ridgewater College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Crookston one of the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $33,391. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $56,627. That is a strong return on a $33,391 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hennepin Technical College earned it the #5 place for accounting. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,887. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #6 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Students borrow a median of $21,469 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,289. That is a strong return on a $21,469 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #7 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $48,652 early in their careers. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Students borrow a median of $22,083 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $43,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #9 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for accounting. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,790 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $39,742 early in their careers. Set against $26,790 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,291. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,179. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
Normandale Community College placed #13 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Students borrow a median of $21,128 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $53,871. Set against $21,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #14 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $58,497. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #15 spot for accounting value this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $45,368. Set against $14,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,323 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $34,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,342 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $72,296. Set against $22,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #18 position for value in accounting this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $47,898. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Bemidji State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $30,114. Early-career accounting graduates make about $58,446. Set against $30,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #20 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $61,360. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #21 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $50,867. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Winona State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $55,898. Set against $23,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #23 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $26,621 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $56,146. Set against $26,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #24 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $62,038. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Capella University came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $66,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.